show us a sign

Matt 16: 1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Now the Pharisees and the Sadducees – were the ruling class of Jesus’ day . . . they were not really interested in finding out what was “right or

wrong” . . . but they were interested in the power which their current positions provided to them as the religious leaders of the children of Abraham . .

The motive behind their request “shew us a sign” was not a desire to know the Truth . . . but rather it was a desire to discredit Jesus in an attempt to

remove a threat to the power which they enjoyed “over the people” as the religious leaders of The Jewish nation . . .

Notice what we read of such men in II Peter 2: 1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

A false teacher is one who pretends . . . a false teacher is a fake or a person that is playing a part . . . these actors were doing things in secret . . .

While they pretended to be ministering to the people . . . they were in fact in the process of betraying the people in plain sight . . . they carried

out this pretense of being a Christian minister by secretly introducing heresy (which refer to teachings that are simply not true) . . . a heresy in

the church refers to teachings which are not healthy . . . or to teachings that are of a destructive nature to the love and the unity of God’s people . . .

The phrase “even denying the Lord that bought them . . .” refers to how these actors repeatedly deny their savior . . . Now obviously – the false

teacher is not going to stand up before the congregation and say something to the effect . . . I deny the God that saved my soul . . . but we

should understand that The WORD IS God . . . and the WORD was God . . . the same was in the beginning with GOD . . .

Our attitude toward the WORD is in all respects our attitude toward God HIMSELF . . . if we respect the WORD then we also respect GOD . . .

If we deny the WORD – then we also deny the God of that WORD . . .

Titus 1: 16 They profess that they know God; BUT IN WORKS they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.  

The works which denied “the Lord that bought them . . .” was the repeated introduction of “heresy” into the church for the purpose of making

themselves more appealing (more attractive) to the people . . .

II Peter 2: 2 And many shall follow their pernicious (malicious or harmful) ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of . . . to speak evil of the Truth is to DENY the God of that truth . . .

3 And through covetousness (greed) shall they with feigned (artificial) words make merchandise of you (they will take advantage of you) whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Shew me a sign and I will believe . . . shew me a sign

and I will change my way of teaching – I will go back to the OLD way and start following you . . .

I have a hold over the people . . . I have deceived them – they like me - they have made my life easy and do not intend to take my mask off . . .

Jesus could see into the hearts of these false prophets and His reply to them is . . .

Matt 16: 2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

Now what “signs of the times” do you suppose Jesus was referring to . . .

2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

II Tim 4: 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (referring to the heresy that the false prophet repeatedly introduces).   

Now we cannot lay the blame for such a condition solely at the feet of the pretenders . . . an actor has to have

an audience . . . you see birds of a feather flock together . . . if our love for the truth has begun to wax cold – and if in its place we have fallen in love

with religion . . . we will turn aside from those who teach the TRUTH  – and we will seek in their place a pretender . . . 2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

The idea of “suffering” so that we might also reign with Him refers to how “we suffer” when we deny what we are by nature . . .

The man who denies the natural tendency which we all have to “overlook” the truth when it is to our advantage to do so . . . the man who denies the

greed in his heart that leads him to take advantage of the trust that others have placed in him – the man who denies the desire to be in charge – the

man who denies the desire to teach only what others want to hear . . . this is the man who will reign with God in the heavenly kingdom of Jesus

Christ . . . but the man who refuses this type of self-denial as he “denies” the truth in order to gain

popularity . . . he may be popular in church – he may be popular in the community . . . but he will NOT be popular in heaven . . . he may be saved –

but to deny our saviour in this manner – is to guarantee that when we go to heaven – we will go there in shame - with empty hands – having forsaken the reward of the righteous . . .

II Cor 3: 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Matt 16: 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Jesus left these whose only interest in their religion was how to make themselves popular with the people . . . we did not say that these pretenders

were sent to hell . . . but having denied Jesus by their works – Jesus will deny them rewards in the day of judgment . . . has Jesus left you to find 

your own reward in success and popularity . . . or is Jesus standing beside you – and giving you comfort as you deny the world in order to follow His Truth?

Cry out to God

Cry out to God. 

-Statement:  Ps 84: 1 . . . How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

The Lord of hosts is a phrase that refers to how ALL men are under the subjection of God.  He is the God of the multitudes – as well as the God of each individual.

“The Lord” is the God of all creation – but He is also MY own personal God.  Jesus died for me personally.

John 20: 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Jesus is truly the God and the Lord of ALL creation – but He is also the God and the Lord of each individual in that creation.

“How amiable are thy tabernacles” simply refers to how well thought of God’s House is or how

well God’s house is loved . . . not only by the multitudes – but also by each individual for whom He died to bring unto Christ.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

It is in God’s House – that the sinner learns about the sacrifice that Jesus made on their behalf – so as a man loves the truth – he will also love the house where that truth is taught.

Supporting Statement:  2.  My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

My soul desires to be with God, I waste away “looking forward” to being located (placed) in the village of God: my whole man shouts for joy when I consider My God.

Our attitude toward statement:  If we consider the idea of looking forward to an event – how often do we actually (honestly) look forward to church time?

We often hear those who testify – that they are looking forward to The Lord coming back. 

And I suppose that this is something that we are all looking forward too . . .

But I just want to point out – that we cannot honestly be looking forward to the Lord’s return at the end of the age – IF we are not also

Looking forward to visiting His “House of Worship” each Sunday.  So the Psalmist has told us in this Psalm – that God’s house is well

loved . . . He more or less repeats this same thing when He tells us in the next verse . . . that he has a yearning – he has a desire – he has a

hunger – he has a thirst – a craving – to be where God is . . . So after hearing this Psalm – after learning of the Psalmist’s desire . . . Are you and I able to say the same thing?

Our practice of statement:  YES, I love The Lord, I love His house and I love the idea of His soon return.

Well, what I want us to do here briefly – is to test this statement . . . Do we really love the Lord – Do we honestly love His “House of Worship” – and Do we sincerely look forward to His return

In John 14: 15 Jesus says, If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Can we keep His commandments when the church has gathered together in worship to honor God – but WE have chosen to gather with the Razorback fans to honor a football team?

Heb.10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Do we honestly love His House of Worship if we CAN attend – but just choose to be somewhere else . . .

Depending upon how we were able to answer these last two questions – we should be able to properly judge the real answer to this.

Detailed expl. of statement:  Have you ever looked forward to a distant time/day so much so – that you just couldn’t wait for it to arrive?

We are all anxious for Christmas – Why is that?

We are anxious for Christmas because we like getting presents – we like seeing friends and family . . . and when we think about Christmas

We look forward to it because in our minds

Christmas is “well thought of” – Christmas is something that we love because of what it represents – and because of how “it’s celebration” effects our lives . . .

But to counter this – let’s think of “tax day” – April 15^th . . . how many of us look forward to this – well why not?

We are not anxious for April 15^th because we do not like having to pay taxes . . . we do not like to be reminded that we can’t afford what we

want/need because we have to let the politicians have too much of our hard earned money.

We do not look forward to this because in our minds - it is NOT well thought of – IT IS NOT something that we love . . .

Example to prove statement:  If we assemble with a ball team instead of attending worship services at God’s House – then we love something else instead of God.

This does not mean that we do not have ANY love for God at all – but what it does mean is that we obviously love something else MORE than we love God.

The world is in competition with God – some type of “entertainment” is literally in competition with the dull – narrow minded

teachings – that we hear expressed “in God’s House” every week.  So when we let the competition win – we lose our commitment to God and to that which is spiritual.

We cannot be (keeping or) safeguarding His commandments of true worship on a ball field or in the deer woods – these commandments of

proper worship can only be protected as they are practiced IN HIS HOUSE.

Summary: God has told us . . . The Psalmist has mentioned to us - how much he loves God – and how much that he desires to be with God

We have either accepted or rejected:  Now You and I have the same opportunity to develop this kind of attitude toward God and toward proper worship.

Come unto me . . . and learn how to love me and learn how to love My house of worship – like the Psalmist has done . . .

The way that we come to Jesus – is to turn away from what the competition is offering – and to turn toward “The Truth” that Jesus is offering.

If we leave the same as we entered then we do not believe.  If we leave this service with the same attitude as we possessed when we entered . . . do you think that God’s will has been accomplished in our heart?

Why worship?

Matt 16: 1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

“The Pharisees and the Sadducees” were religious leaders with much “political influence” during the time in which Jesus lived . . . Jesus was 

perceived by these political/religious groups “as a threat” to their brand of religion . . . In today's society - it would be like the Presidential 

candidates endorsing a particular religion . . . And as their “religion” increased – their “power base” would also increase . . . in the days of Jesus – because of the way in which religion and politics were 

intertwined – the religious views of “The Jew” were also his political views and the “Pharisees and the Sadducees” basically served as

opposing “party platforms” similar to the Democrat and Republican “platforms” which today allow each of us to identify ourselves with a particular “ideology” - which contain elements of political as well as religious concepts  . . . 

Well Jesus represented what amounted to (in His day) a THIRD party . . . Jesus was not a political activist at all – He repeatedly said and taught “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars ’ and render unto 

God the things that are God’s . . . So the reality of it was - that Jesus was not a threat to the political climate of the day but He was a threat to the religion of the day . . . Jesus 

never once attempted to revolutionize the Roman government – but He did come to reform the Jewish way of “worship”.

Matt 22: 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

The question here is . . . Is it lawful for a disciple of Jesus (a Christian) to pay taxes to the Roman Government?

 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

Now this would have been a perfect opportunity for Jesus to have begun His political reform – The Roman government was one of the most corrupt institutions man has ever been a part of . . . there was graft – there was 

greed – taxes were high –and TAX MONEY was used to support this corrupt institution . . . but rather than resist (we find that as our example) Jesus paid His taxes to support a government that certainly did not spend that money in the pursuit of righteousness . . .

Matt 17: 24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

So Jesus was not interested in politics – and Jesus was not interested in changing the tax code to ensure that tax money was not used for things that He did not agree with  . . .  

We know this to be true or else He would not have paid taxes Himself – and He would have surely encouraged all of His disciples not to pay taxes either . . . but Jesus followed the law of the land . . . and until the law of 

the land opposes God’s law - so that like Daniel we must perform “one” at the expense of “the other” . . . we should follow Jesus’ example . . . and be good citizens of what is often a corrupt system . . . 

Like Jesus our purpose is not to reform our government . . . but rather “as God’s people” our purpose is to sustain (maintain) a particular way of worship (often in the midst of much corruption) by “making disciples” and teaching those disciples what Jesus has taught us. 

Matthew 28: 19 (To the church – to the true worshipers) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus was not a politician . . . Jesus did not come to this earth to establish a new form of government – Jesus came to this earth for TWO reasons only

1)  To seek and to save that which was lost . . . by giving Himself a ransom for many and

2)  To fulfill the Old Testament pattern of worship (under the Law of Moses) and to put in its’ place The New Testament pattern of worship

(which He did through the New Testament Church).  All of the rules – all of the sacrifices – all of the things which defined the Old Testament way of

worship were replaced by a New Testament (by a New commandment) or a new law . . . that no longer required all of the symbols – and all of the

sacrifices which the worshiper under the Law of Moses was obligated to offer/perform . . .

Mt 5:17 (Jesus said) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

Jesus came to fulfill “God’s will” in regard to teaching His people the method and the meaning of proper worship . . . Jesus was not a politician

Jesus was a teacher of righteousness . . . And in the society of His day - everything was OK until Jesus begin to show how God’s definition of

righteousness – was very "different" compared to how the Pharisees and the Sadducees had defined righteousness.  Righteousness that is defined by good works (worshiper centered) . . . defines a system of worship that is 

based upon how good a person the worshiper is . . . while righteousness that is defined by humility and submission . . . defines a system of worship that is based upon how good GOD is . . .

Pr 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

And this difference of attitude is what The New Testament system of worship is designed to teach us . . . Not how good WE are . . . but rather how good GOD is.

Authority

Matt 16: 13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

In our opening passage (verse 19) we will notice that “the keys to the kingdom” are mentioned . . .

19 And I will give unto thee (not unto Peter who was just a man {the small stone} but unto the church which the gates of hell shall not prevail upon . . . To Her

will Jesus give) the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou (the church) shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

First of all we must go back to the foundation of “the church” as Jesus has just mentioned . . . So I want to address a common misconception

regarding verse #19 . . . The keys of the kingdom DOES NOT refer to the ability or to the authority to keep certain people OUT OF HEAVEN.

To bind on the earth – and to be bound in heaven DOES NOT refer to confining the soul in some type of spiritual prison (purgatory) to prevent 

that soul from appearing in the presence of God until the one with the keys of the kingdom “releases it”.

The keys to the kingdom does not represent the authority to “shut” certain ones out of heaven . . . salvation IS NOT in the church.

John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

This verse clearly teaches that salvation is through faith – no mention of “the church” or any type of worship is mentioned in this entire passage as a condition for eternal life.

Ro 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

This verse is clearly a black and white reference to salvation . . . again worship and the church are not indicated as a condition of eternal life.

Eph 2: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Again these scriptures teach us that salvation is through faith – but this time (in this passage) worship IS mentioned – but not as a condition for 

salvation – but specifically that the “good works” which certainly consists of worship - are specifically excluded from being a condition of eternal life.

Misconception #1 – is that salvation is somehow bound to the church or to some form of worship – it should be clear to us however – that according

to these verses (John 3:16 – Romans 10:13 and Eph 2:8-9 . . . that such a belief is simply not supported by the scriptures . . .

Next we will consider the false notion that after death “an authority exists to place a man’s soul into a type of spiritual prison that falls short of the

torments of hell – but that also falls short of the glories of heaven . . . II Cor 5: 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

The "earnest" of the Spirit refers to what amounts to a down payment – When we are saved God “deposits” The Holy Spirit within us . . . The 

Spirit of God within each one of us serves as a reminder that we have been saved – and that God’s presence in heaven awaits us after death . . .

6 Therefore (because of how we are aware of this Spirit within us) we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body (alive) we are absent from the Lord (or not yet in His

presence) . . . 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

8 (because of this faith) We are confident (also) I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body (dead) and to be present with the Lord.

When we die – our soul either wakes up in heaven – or it wakes up in hell . . . there is no place found in the Bible that is somewhere in between these two locations.

Misconception #2 is that to be bound on earth and in heaven - DOES NOT refer to a prison of the soul that is located somewhere between heaven and hell . . . because according the Bible - Heaven is a place of comfort in the presence of God . . . while HELL is a place of torment in the absence of God.

Hell is truly a place of torment – but one of the things that makes Hell so terrible – is that Hell is the only place in existence where God is NOT present.

If we could picture God as standing outside of a house – Heaven would be “outside” where God was standing . . . but HELL would be inside the

house because God was not there . . . we could define Hell a number of different ways – but the basic definition of Hell is the absence of God . . .

If you can find a place where God is not present – then the place you have found IS HELL . . . and all of the horrible things that we associate with 

Hell – all of the sufferings that we fear – these are the results of a place “where GOD is not present” . . . the existence of God - in fact the 

“presence” of God is the only power that confines HELL to the center of the earth – otherwise HELL would grow and expand until it had consumed every man that had ever been born . . . 

without the presence of God these terrors are all that would exist for all men – throughout all eternity . . . a scared child knows safety in his mothers arms . . . the soul of man only knows safety - in the presence of God.

If to die “saved” is to be present with the Lord – or to be where God is . . . then to die “lost” is to awaken in that place where God is not present (what we refer to as HELL).

So the keys of the kingdom DOES NOT refer to the authority to “lock” the door of heaven to keep someone from entering . . .

To bind on earth and heaven – DOES NOT refer to taking a soul prisoner and after a man’s death to keep that soul from being in God’s presence . . 

Next we will look at Luke 16 – and we will discuss Lazarus “in paradise” (Abraham’s bosom) and the rich man “in hell” . . .

A key does represent the authority to unlock or to set free . . . and "to bind or to loose" also represents a similar type of authority . . .

Instead of the authority to lock someone out of heaven - I want you to think about the authority "to understand" – think about "the ability" to properly 

interpret The Bible . . . think about loosing the ability to understand – if we cannot understand The Bible – if we cannot interpret it’s meaning . . . can 

we not say that we have lost “the keys” or that we have lost the authority to understand "the mysteries of God’s spiritual kingdom on earth . . . can we 

not say that our lack of understanding “binds our lives” such that we are unable to “loosen” ourselves from the blindness of unbelief . . . 

The Living Word

Matt 16: 13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

As we read these scriptures about how the church was founded – it is important that we understand exactly who Jesus is  . . . is He a good man . . . like Peter - is He simply “another” in long line of prophets . . . or is He 

literally The Son of God in human form which is to say (The Christ) . . . If we answer that Jesus is the Christ . . . or that He is God in the flesh – then “like Peter” we are not aware of this because our education has allowed us to “figure it out”

But to know that Jesus is “the Christ” – is for this knowledge to have been revealed to us by God through His Holy Spirit . . .

Now I say this because “The Bible” is not to be read as just another book . . . The Bible is “The Living Word of God” – and what this phrase means is that The Bible “and what It Says” actually IS God

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

For The Word of God “To be quick” and powerful refers to how The Word of God actually “lives” . . . and to how The Bible and what it teaches us “is active” within our lives.

By this I simply mean that once we read John 3:16 which says . . .

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

We realize that this means - that it was God’s love “for the sinner” which motivated Him to sacrifice Himself on the cross for our sins . . .

God’s love for those who were without hope – is what led Jesus to the cross . . . The righteousness of Jesus Christ is transferred to “the sinners

account” when that sinners BELIEVES that Jesus died to pay for OUR sins – because He had no sins of His own . . . To “believe in Jesus” is to put our trust in Him as one who has risen from the dead for the purpose of 

“saving” those who put their faith in Him . . . to believe in the death of Jesus – to believe in the resurrection of Jesus – to believe in our sinfulness – to believe in His sinless-ness . . . to turn toward God in our heart . . . to 

accept His sacrifice to God on our behalf (knowing that He took our place in death) – this is how faith and repentance allows us  to gain everlasting life . . .

For God’s Word to be “quick” or alive . . . for God’s Word to be powerful – or active within our lives means that the concept of faith – salvation and

repentance which is found in John 3:16 – is a realization that will always be present within us throughout the remainder of our lives . . .

John 12:32 (Jesus says of His death) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

What this means is that this concept of faith – repentance and salvation – which is seen in the death of Jesus on the cross “for our sins” is

something that has placed a burden on every human heart from Adam to the present . . . this burden is that we are responsible for the

sufferings of Jesus – and God has extended to us the hope of salvation in His willingness to FORGIVE us – if we admit our guilt – and trust in His promise of forgiveness . . .

For God’s Word to “be alive” means that “The Bible” will “never” stop having an effect upon our lives.

We can read Tom Sawyer – or we can read Shakespeare . . . these stories will teach us a few things and they will have an effect upon us for a

while . . . but they are soon to be forgotten – the morals and the entertainment which they contain may be remembered – but in years 

to come - they will not provide us with any type of lasting  spiritual guidance – “the Lessons of Literature” will never be able to burden our heart – in times of trials the words of Mark Twain will not give us

spiritual comfort – but the Words of God will give us comfort . . . the point – is that The Bible and the lessons we find there – are not “intellectual” in

nature . . . they are “spiritual” in Nature . . . The Wizard of Oz entertains our flesh - as it teaches us that there is no place like home . . . But The Word

of God “convicts the heart” as it teaches that we are to learn that God will never leave us nor will He ever forsake us – and with this knowledge – we are to be content with such as we have . . .

Php 4:11 Paul says . . . for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

So when Jesus talks about Himself being “The Christ” and that flesh and blood has not revealed this to Peter - He reinforces the idea that He never

offers any proof of this . . . all we have is His word as we remember the definition of faith . . . as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things NOT SEEN.

when Jesus talks about “the beginning” or the foundation of His New Testament Church – and

how this church would be built upon Himself as the rock of ages (the big stone) - as opposed to being built upon Peter or some other man (as a little

stone) so that the gates of hell would never prevail against (overcome) it –  Jesus again refuses to offer any type of proof . . . but He does promise

that after He ascends back into heaven - to send His Holy Spirit upon “the church” to teach them

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

So when we say that The Bible is the living Word of God – we say this because it is made a living thing to us by The Holy Spirit of God . . .

So do we look at The Bible as just another book – or do we look at The Bible as we would look upon God Himself . . . do we try to interpret God’s Word with our education – or we let The Spirit guide us?

The Rock

If you were going to build a structure that you wanted to stand as long as possible - which of the "rocks" shown above would you choose as the foundation?  The BIG rock of ages . . . or the small rocks shown below it?

II Thessalonians 1: 1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

 2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In verse #1 “The church” is referred to as being IN “God our Father” and also as being a church that was IN (fixed or resting upon) “THE Lord Jesus Christ” as the rock of ages.

Paul clarifies that “The church” (unto whom this letter is being addressed) is not simply “a temporary” social organization of man . . . but to

state that “the church” was IN “God our Father” was for Paul to indicate that the church was not a short-term institution – but that “the church”

was in a “fixed” (permanent) location (or position that would NEVER change) – and that this stationary (unmovable) position was not resting

upon men  – but “as such” the church was currently “positioned” and would remain “positioned” where-ever God was LOCATED.

Mt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and (not upon YOU – but) upon this rock (upon Myself) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The point that Jesus is making here – is that there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between “the stability” or the character of Peter and “the stability” or the

character of Jesus . . . Peter was indeed “a rock” or a stable feature concerning the teachings of Jesus and the early church . . . but what Jesus is saying

here is that even though Peter is “a rock” or a stable force concerning “the faith” – Jesus is a much BIGGER rock or a much larger stabilizing force than Peter or any “other” man is. 

Remember that Peter was “just a man” – and that as a man – Peter is the one who openly denied Jesus not once but “three times” prior to the

crucifixion . . . so even though Peter repented and was later “converted” which means nothing more than that he reverted (returned) back to “the

faith” that he had earlier denied (as he allowed God to turn his life around through repentance).   Peter was in this respect a “little” stone or a

“small” rock concerning “the faith” while on the other hand – Jesus was a BIG stone or a MASSIVE rock . . . or what we refer to as “the rock of ages.”

So when Jesus says “thou art Peter and upon THIS rock I will build my church” – He was pointing out that even though Peter was a good man (what we

would refer to a rock concerning “the faith” – he was also a man that was subject to sin – he WAS strong in the faith – but he was not as big of a

rock as Jesus was . . . so Jesus tells us – that the church was not built upon a little rock like Peter – but that it was built upon Himself as “the rock of ages”

Matt 16: 13 ¶ When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (You are the rock of ages) 

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona (Peter) : for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Jesus tells Peter that he had been blessed of God

concerning the fact that “Jesus” was The Christ.  For “flesh and blood not to have revealed this unto thee” indicates that Peter did not use his

education to “figure out” that Jesus was The Christ – but that God had revealed this to Peter . .

What God had revealed to Peter was that there was a difference between Jesus and John the Baptist – there was a difference between Jesus and Elias –

There was a difference between Jesus and Jeremias – there was a difference between Jesus and “one of the prophets” . . . These prophets were all

good men – but these prophets were ONLY men – while Jesus was MORE than a man – He was literally God in the flesh . . . so it was with this

background regarding the difference in stature which exists between Jesus and the prophets - that Jesus explains in the next verse

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter (you are like one of these prophets that have been mentioned – you are a good man - but you are not the Christ) and

(pointing to Himself – He says not upon you but) upon THIS rock (upon Myself “not as a prophet” but as The Christ – Upon Myself as The Son of the living God) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The gates of hell had already prevailed against Peter once when he denied Jesus . . . the gates of hell had already prevailed against the life of Peter

when he failed in Galatians 2 – as he gave in to pressure and refused to teach that in the New Testament that we are no longer under the Law

Galatians 2: 11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

Now this latest account of failure in the life of Peter was at least three years after his conversation with Jesus in Matt 16 about building the church

upon THIS rock.  So if Peter was “this rock” upon which the church was built (instead of that rock being Jesus) then

what right did Paul have to accuse Peter of leading

the church into error (who if the church had been built upon Peter instead of upon Jesus) – would

mean that Peter is the one who had been given the keys of the kingdom “to bind or to loose” in both heaven and earth?

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Who has possession of “the keys” of the kingdom.

What do you think these “keys” of the kingdom of heaven are . . . and

What is it that is “bound or loosed” by the use of these keys.

Our next lesson will deal with the "living word" and we will discuss "the keys" in one of our later lessons.

One Mind

  

I Peter 4: 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

So why would any man choose to suffer as a Christian . . .  so that he puts OTHERS before himself?  What would motivate a person to be so completely UNSELFISH that they would endure pain for the sake of another?

I Peter 3: 8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

  9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

  Now what we can do here with these verses – is to understand that (as a church-member) we do not have to follow the advice that is found here

  To all be of one mind is a good thing – but this is not something that happens in our churches by accident  “to all be of one mind” literally

  means that there will be harmony (agreement) between all of us in       

EVERYTHING that we do as a New Testament Church.    If there is not harmony – if there is not a spirit of unity in what we do as a church  then (AS a church) we are NOT a collection of Christians doing for others – but 

we are instead a collection of selfish and immature children of God who have forgotten that we are to love others – even as we love our own selves.

  Finally, be ye all OF ONE MIND – “having compassion one of another”- love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous . . .

  What we have here is "the actual recipe" (which is required in our lives as church-members) that if followed – it will produce this harmony in the Lord’s church.

Did you notice the word “compassion” . . . this is sympathy, concern, kindness, consideration, understanding, gentleness, kindheartedness, benevolent . . .

  How many times have we seen tension or hard feelings that existed as a result of a disagreement in the church?   where “one side” wanted this but the “opposing side” wanted that.

  I Cor 11: 17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

  18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

 A division is a split – a gap – a tear in fellowship.  We have all seen this – and as long as we are human there will be differences of opinion . . . but if we ever hope to be a Christian church – instead of just a gathering of 

religious people then we will be required to forget that we got the most votes and instead – (literally) do what-ever it takes – to ensure that {as a church} we are ALL of ONE mind in everything that we do . . . 

to all be of ONE mind does not allow for opposition – it allows only for UNITY.

  When we vote for what color to paint the walls – it is easy for some of us to overlook any personal preference we might have . . . but it is possible for "some" among us to be passionate about a thing that "we ourselves" might consider lightly . . .

  Sometimes “our fellow brethren” get their feelings hurt because of such a division – To a Christian – to a church-member – if it is  important to one of my brethren in Christ – then for me to have compassion – for me to be 

  pitiful (tender-hearted) – for me to be courteous (friendly) – is for me to put myself in my brother/sisters shoes – and to set aside what might be important for me – so that we can ALL be of ONE mind.  

But I just don’t like white walls – they are so plain – they reflect too much light – they get dirty too easily . . .

  But if white walls are the only color my brethren in Christ will even consider – if (for some unexplained reason) they are passionate about

  painting the walls white – and no other color . . . then as a Christian what do you think I should do about my aversion to white walls?

In I Cor 8 – Paul is talking about eating meat that had been offered to idols . . . the gist to this passage is that there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with eating this meat . . . and there is no mention of one side having more votes 

than the other side and following the majority . . . but what is mentioned here is the compassion that Paul had {as a Christian} toward what was a belief that held no merit at all for being “right” – {considering the fact that there is no such thing as an idol god} - it was in all respects a rather foolish belief . . .

 I Cor 8: 7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

  
Paul says - because I AM right - and because I can prove that I am right from the Bible – I can insist and continue to do this thing . . . but . . . through my knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.  
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian (bending toward the will of others) let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

  Suffering is not always "external pressure" from the world . . . but as in the case of Paul – his desire for a “cheap cut of meat” was denied (not because of right or wrong/doctrine or heresy . . .

  But simply out of respect for those brethren among him in the church “in whom was not this knowledge . . .”

  So why would Paul choose to be a Christian and subject himself to such voluntary restraints on behalf of others . . . he made this choice because of what we find in

 Matt 22: 37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

  38 This is the first and great commandment.  
  39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour AS THYSELF.

  40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

  Being a Christian has less to do with what we believe than it has to do with how we handle "disagreements" with one another in God’s house.

The disciples were not called "Christians" because of what they believed - they were referred to as Christians because of how behaved toward one another in their New Testament house of worship . . . The Church.